After more than 40 years of governance, Christiane and Pierre Riou, founders of Riou Glass, one of the leading European glass companies specializing in the manufacture and processing of flat glass, are handing over the reins of the family-owned ETI to their children. Christine Riou Feron takes over the management of the industrial group and becomes Chairman of the Board of Directors, while Nicolas Riou becomes a director. This handover is accompanied by the acquisition of a minority stake in For Talents, a family capital investment company serving long-term entrepreneurs and which has acquired unique expertise in intra-family transfers by combining support for managers and securing family control.

A family history at the heart of innovation

It was a historic and moving moment that took place on April 29. After more than four decades of work and innovation, the founders of ETI RIOU Glass, Christiane and Pierre Riou, are taking their leave and passing on their shares in the family business to their two children: Christine Riou Feron and Nicolas Riou. Independently of the activities of the RIOU Glass group, Pierre Riou will continue the development of the Reunionese transformation site Soremir, which he will take over through the creation of a new structure named RIOU Développement.

"I am very moved and immensely proud of the work and the will to undertake which animated my parents during all these years. A commitment that has served our family, but also and above all turned towards others by making the choice, from the very beginning, to maintain the production of our glass products in France at all costs", says Christine Riou Feron, President of Riou Glass. "At this symbolic moment, I feel a great responsibility towards them, towards our 1,000 employees, and towards the third generation of the family, which is growing up", adds Christine Riou Feron.

A family business that is giving itself the means to continue its growth

To support the company at this pivotal moment in its history, and to provide it with the means to finance its growth, the ETI chose to be accompanied by For Talents.

For Talents, with its expertise in transmission, has entered the capital of the glazing specialist as a minority shareholder. The objective of this capital investment is to support the company's development and to support the RIOU GLASS VERRE 2025 strategic development plan led by Christine Riou Feron and supported by all the group's employees. It will involve consolidating the company's know-how and assets, investing in modernizing and automating its plants, and finally carrying out external growth operations to expand its product range and perfect its territorial coverage.

"With its "transmission" activity, For Talents is perfectly aware of the challenges of transmission within family companies, financial and emotional issues that must be managed to preserve the unity of the family and ensure the full success of the passing of the torch between two generations" explains Christine Riou Feron.

"RIOU Glass is the second largest French company in its market, and is a very fine family business, recognized for the energy and environmental performance of its glazing and its great capacity for innovation. We are delighted to write a new page in the history of the group alongside the Riou family, the management team and the employees of RIOU Glass" concludes Blandine Pessin-Bazil, Partner in charge of the Transmission activity of For Talents.

Counsel to the RIOU Glass Group :

• KPMG Advisory : Antoine Bernabeu (partner) + Charles-Boris Pavard (manager)
• Fidal : Cédric Leroyer (partner) + Mathilde Ravasse (corporate lawyer) + Xavier Coatrieux (tax lawyer)
• Adviso Partners: Guillaume Capelle (partner) + Philippe Sciorella (manager)

Advisors to For Talents :

• Bignon-Lebray: Thomas Buffin, François Vibert (negotiation, structuring) + Alban Van de Vyver (due diligence)
• Eight Advisory : Mathieu Morisot and Maxime Riot (Transaction services / Accounting and finance) + Guillaume Rembry and Baptiste Gachet (Transaction services / Tax)